United Torah Judaism Official Criticizes Party's Loyalty to Netanyahu

Elyakim Stark, a representative of the Belz Hasidic community on the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) Knesset list, stated that his party is not obligated to the bloc led by Prime Minister Netanyahu. In recordings broadcast by Kan News, Stark, who is ranked sixth on the list, questioned the party's decision to boycott Benneth, asserting, "We remember why we were sent: to care for our public, not for Netanyahu or anyone else." He also claimed that the Rebbe of Belz, a leader of the Haredi public, believes Netanyahu is a "swindler." Stark described the current situation as the most complex since the state's founding, warning against those promising quick solutions. He further alleged that UTJ voted against dissolving the government before the "Lion's Roar" operation and made efforts to improve their position on the conscription law. Citing the Rebbe of Belz, Stark emphasized that Torah scholars should not be drafted into the army, stating, "What the army wants, we do not agree to; what we agree to, the army does not want, and it will always fall."

Earlier in the month, UTJ Chairman and Knesset Member Yaakov Asher expressed concerns to activists about declining voter turnout within the Haredi community. Asher reportedly linked this to the perceived failure of Haredi political leadership to pass a conscription law exempting Haredi men from IDF service. He highlighted the demographic growth in the Haredi sector, which should translate into more votes, but noted this is not reflected in their Knesset mandates. Asher warned that a failure to see this growth reflected at the ballot box would be a "desecration of God's name."